Can Artest Play the Point?

[ws26]

I know this sounds like a crazy question because he is really a 3, but why can't Ron play a little PG for the Rockets? I'm not saying start or play 30 minutes a game there, but maybe run the offense for about 10-15 minutes while himself, TMac, and Battier are all on the floor. That would be a defensive juggernaut and fun to watch.

[wilt]

Why would he play the point when he is on the court with McGrady ? At least offensively Tmac would handle it anyway.

[pl]

Exactly...
He can easily play together with TMac and Battier. But it will not be him at the point...
If they are together at 1-2-3, Tmac will be the 1.
If they are together as 2-3-4, Artest will probably play the 4.

[Loose Cannon]

I would avoid it, he's too much of a ball-stopper to play the point, even in Adelman's offense.

[Ballings7]

Yes he can, and has done it with regularity over his career.

Ron being a ball-stopper is overblown (it does happen at times, though), having watched the guy on a consistent basis over the last 4-5 years. His overall creating for others ability is the most underrated and overlooked part of his game.

Won't be as needed on the Rockets (playing point), but it's definitely good to have.

[KF10]

Yes he can, and has done it with regularity over his career.

Ron being a ball-stopper is overblown (it does happen at times, though), having watched the guy on a consistent basis over the last 4-5 years. His overall creating for others ability is the most underrated and overlooked part of his game.

Won't be as needed on the Rockets (playing point), but it's definitely good to have.

Agreed. Artest's ability to create for others is the MOST overlook aspect of his game.

[Don Draper]

Yes he can, and has done it with regularity over his career.

Ron being a ball-stopper is overblown (it does happen at times, though), having watched the guy on a consistent basis over the last 4-5 years. His overall creating for others ability is the most underrated and overlooked part of his game.

Won't be as needed on the Rockets (playing point), but it's definitely good to have.

Agreed. Artest's ability to create for others is the MOST overlook aspect of his game.

But he isn't Mcgrady.

[KF10]

Yes he can, and has done it with regularity over his career.

Ron being a ball-stopper is overblown (it does happen at times, though), having watched the guy on a consistent basis over the last 4-5 years. His overall creating for others ability is the most underrated and overlooked part of his game.

Won't be as needed on the Rockets (playing point), but it's definitely good to have.

Agreed. Artest's ability to create for others is the MOST overlook aspect of his game.

But he isn't Mcgrady.

Yeah, obviously. But I didn't compare him to McGrady though.

[Ballings7]

But he isn't Mcgrady.

No he isn't T-Mac, but it applies to Ron in general, and while Ron isn't at the level of Wade/Kobe/T-Mac in setting others up - he is still above-average, and can do it in multiple ways.

Naturally being on Houston, his facilitating oppurtunities will be decreased with T-Mac and Yao. But if T-Mac or Yao go out for awhile, his play-making ability will be valuable and needed. Adelman knows this and saw it for many games back in 06.

[legacyinthemakin89c]

I really don't think there is any need for him too. They have Alston, Brooks and I heard Francis is working hard this summer to contribute. I heard he is going to start at the four for them. I think this benefits them a lot because Artest can do a good job on guys like Boozer, Dirk, and West, who's rely heavily on the midrange shot. Artest could finally get them past Utah.

[Slava]

His ball handling is a little suspect to be playing the point. I'd much rather play McGrady at PG if it ever comes to it and have Artest play SG/SF based on need. I still think Battier at the 4 with Scola coming off the bench would be best for them if McGrady and Artest can pick up the rebounding slack.

[MaxRider]

actually T-Mac had been playing point for the Rockets in the last 2 years
Alston brings the ball up court and passes to T-Mac

[Texas Longhorns]

Steve Francis is coming back and will most likely be as good as we was last year for those 10 games. He's already 100% and he's been working out so he's in shape. He's going to back up Rafer Alston. No need for Ron Artest to play the point.

[ChargerMan]

When Alston sits out they have Head/Francis backing them up

if they all suck it up they will have Barry take over ball handling duties, then T-Mac

I wouldn't want to play Artest at the 4 for long periods of time as he would have to be bangin in the paint for rebounds and his best defensive aspect(perimeter) wouldn't be used.

Big Lineup:

McGrady
Battier
Artest
Scola
Yao

Small Lineup
Barry
McGrady
Battier
Artest
Scola/Landry

[Blame Rasho]

No... simply... No....

[Stanford]

He played quite a bit of point at St. John's

[prekazi]

Can Artest play the point? LOL! might be one of the most ridicilous threads ever.

[Scalabrine]

What about Brent Barry? He will play more point then Artest. I dont think they need Landry as much anymore and Artest will probably play alot of PF with Scola and Hayes. The Rockets didnt sign Barry with their MLE to just have him sit on the bench so I expect that he will be backing up SG with Battier and point guard with Brooks and maybe Francis. The most important part of this trade is that they now are a deep basketball team that will be able to get offense in many different ways. They have to be the best team in the league right now.

[Texas Longhorns]

Landry doesn't look like he's going anywhere. He's most likely going to resign since nobody has offered him anything as of yet.

[iamworthy]

C'mon people. These Artest/Rockets threads are going a little to far. Artest is a lock down SF.